Chapter 2 The Mining Hole

Peter watched the poor guy pass him and slipped into the lonely roads that led to the dense forest that no outsider was meant to venture into.

These woods were familiar and he knew it like the back of his hands. A distant voice rode on the wind, sweet and calming as it strung a nostalgic melody on the leaves of the humming trees around him. Long wavy brown hair swaying fiercely, heavy pants and aggressive growls filled his mind's eye. The setting sun reminded him of the burning amber of a beautiful woman's eyes. A woman who had no choice but to leave an innocent child motherless because of the greed of a dirty old fool. A fool who would certainly get what was coming to him in due time.

As he went deeper into the woods, he drew up the hood of his cloak and fixed his mask correctly. Soon he got to the boundary where the barrier's force repelled outsiders. Effortlessly passing through, the familiar rumbling of the trees in the inner circle wrapped his ears in a warm caress.

Now in enemy territory, he set out on a jog, his next assignment clear in his head until he got to the abandoned temple. Scanning his surroundings properly to make sure no one was nearby, he placed his hand on the runes on the altar. He traced them, reading them out. Touching the outstretched hand of a statue of the moon goddess, his eyes glowed a vibrant emerald green. The statue shifted and revealed a staircase that led down into the tunnel. Having no time to waste, he moved down the stairs. The passages seemed to be lit with a never quenching fire. The smoke in the air smelt sweet.

He pulled out a cloth and tied his nose. He had learnt the hard way during his training with Hored Clayton that sweet smells were often deceiving. The little air he had inhaled was already affecting him. There was a drug in it that made one disoriented.

Where the passage ended, were two tunnels. Peter frowned when he heard voices and faint clanking sounds to tunnel on his right. He allowed his ears lead him to a deep open hole. He bent down, allowing his hands to touch the ground. He could feel the vibrations within the earth. There was a rocky circular path that spiralled downwards to whatever was at the bottom of the hole. He knew from experience that a drill was being used. It was the new mining hole that had brought him here.

Peter looked around, contemplating his choices. Even if he could go down there. There was only one way back up. If he was spotted, there'd be no way to escape without having to fight. That would only attract attention and either get him captured or they'd tighten the security. If that happened, the planned heist for this particular hole would be rendered useless.

"How are the preparations for the United Pack Competitions?"

Peter slid back into the passage, thankful that it was dark and narrow. He blended in with the dark area. Luckily for him, the two figures climbing the spiral pathway stopped at the beginning of the right tunnel. They faced each other and continued their discussion.

"Beta Embry-"

"Don't tell me there are problems, Gul."

Peter's eyes widened. Embry Davina, the ruthless Beta of the Laredo pack. She was known for her remarkable swordsmanship. She was a genius. A child protégé of Arete, the archery god of the werewolf world. They say he never missed a shot no matter what.

Peter craned his neck. He wanted to catch a glimpse of her. She was just nineteen years old and she had a lot of achievements under her belt. In the annual talent games hosted by the Laredo pack, she was always the representative for swordsmanship, archery, hand-to-hand combat, knife throwing and gun practice. She was good at malee, long ranged and short ranged competitions. At least, those were the rumored tales about her as the talent game was only for Laredo pack and its citizens.

"Beta, concerning the price money, the treasurer complains that the stakes are too high. All our resources go into machines for the mine. Mr. Bach is afraid that Laredo will soon go bankrupt before the end of the year. The people are complaining about the high taxes. They don't make much profits. Whatever gems we find in the mine are either given to the Alpha house and are only put into the competitions, or they are stolen by those rebels. Even the revenue we'll get from the competitions we're about to conduct won't go to the well being of the pack. The people are suffering. Soon, the uprising currently ongoing won't be as obscure as it is now."

Embry sighed, nodding her head. All these problems were not new to her neither was the Alpha's obsession with a legendary weapon that was to be found in a cave of gems. It was said that it would ensure them victory over any enemy.

According to the Alpha, such a weapon would guarantee ultimate success over the Skywalkers. Those treacherous bastards caused the death of their previous Alpha during the territory coup orchestrated by Hored Clayton. The coup failed but the Alpha and his family fell. Her parents died in vain protecting them. If not for Lincoln Fierce, their current Alpha, the pack would have been wiped out. Yet, when Hored was brought to the council of priestesses, they deemed him innocent for lack of evidence tying him to the death of the Alpha and his family.

Embry gritted her teeth. If she had the opportunity, she'd kill every single person from the Skywalker pack. They were so shameless. After everything they had done, they still attended every single Luna cycle in the outer circle. "The Alpha believes in the prophecy given by the chief priestess. If it says we will find the weapon here, then we'll find it. We'll just have to work faster and pick inventions that will make the work easier."

Weapon? What weapon? What prophecy? What could they possibly be looking for it for? Was it really in this mining hole?

Peter frowned. How long had he been in this tunnel? He was taking too long down here and was loosing track of time. He had to start making his way back up. Soon, it would be time for him to give a signal to the rebel scouts. It would not look good for 'Him' to disappoint them now.

Peter slowly started moving away from the two werewolves. He was careful not to make any sounds that would attract their attention.

"I understand, Beta. But what could we possibly do to increase revenue and distribute it better?"

"Gul, that's not our duty. We don't deal with finance, expenditure and revenue allocations. I understand your concerns but just do as you are told. I'll see what I can do to relay your concerns to the Alpha."

Gul nodded. "Beta," he saluted.

She nodded at him and dismissed him. She watched him go down the spiral once more. Turning around, she frowned when she caught a glimpse of someone sneaking through the tunnel.

"Hey, you! Stop there!"